Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Costco Edition
Alright, besties! Let’s be realllllll! food prices in 2025 are not playing around. Groceries are up, life is expensive, and the word “recession” keeps floating around like an uninvited group chat message. But we’re still here, still eating, and still making it work.
If you’re working with a tight budget, this post is for you. You can still have meals that feel good and taste like effort. They won’t actually need that much effort. I shop mostly at Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Costco. I’ve got my go-to meals that come in around $5 or less per person. There are one or two treats that feel luxurious without breaking the bank.
🛒 Why These Stores?
- Trader Joe’s: Affordable and unique products that make meal prep exciting.
- Kroger: Great for sales and a wide variety of staples. (And my only choice)
- Costco: Bulk buying for when you want to stock up and save in the long run.
🧀 A Quick Note on Cheese
Let’s talk about cheese, because yes—it’s expensive. And yes, we’re still buying it. But honestly?
The only cheese we really buy now is Beecher’s.
It’s our treat cheese. It’s local, it melts like a dream, and it turns the most basic pasta or wrap into something special.
A little goes a long way, and it’s worth it.
(If you know, you know.)
🍽️ Five Meals Under $5 Per Person That Still Feel Like A Win
Note: These meals are budgeted for two people. The total cost listed covers both servings. This means each person eats for around $5 or less. Whether you’re feeding you and your partner or your bestie, these meals are suitable. You can also plan ahead for leftovers. These are filling meals that won’t break the bank.
1. Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken Bowl
~$3.50 per person
- Orange Chicken ($4.99)
- Jasmine Rice (3-pack for $3.79)
- Frozen broccoli ($1.69)
This is basically fake-out takeout. Tastes like effort, costs less than delivery fees. Add sesame seeds or chili onion crunch if you’re feeling spicy. my man and I LOVE this one after the gym or a long day. It has saved us a lot of money!
2. Costco Rotisserie Chicken Wraps
~$2.75 per person
- Rotisserie Chicken ($4.99 for a whole one = 4–5 meals)
- Tortillas (40-count for $5.99)
- Costco guac cups or sliced avocado
- Lettuce or spinach
This meal carries the whole week. Add a little Beecher’s cheese if you’re feeling luxurious. Bonus: the chicken is good hot or cold, and you can repurposed it into salads, pasta, or tacos.
3. Kroger Pasta Night
~$1.75 per person
- Kroger pasta ($1.25)
- Tomato basil sauce ($1.67)
- Frozen spinach or zucchini (~$1)
- Optional: Beecher’s cheese shredded on top (treat yourself, babe)
This is a go-to comfort meal that doesn’t feel sad. Garlic bread if you have extra budget, or just toast with butter because we’re smart like that.
4. Trader Joe’s Lentil Soup & Sourdough Toast
~$4.50 per person
- Lentil soup ($3.69 for 2 servings)
- Sourdough loaf ($3.49)
- Add greens like kale or arugula if you have it
This is my rainy day dinner. It tastes like you put in effort even though you heated it up in 5 minutes. Toast the sourdough and thank me later.
5. Costco Stir-Fry Bowl
~$3 per person
- Stir-fry veggie blend (5.5 lb bag for $11.22)
- Frozen shrimp or chicken (~$2–3 per portion)
- Rice or noodles from your pantry
- Garlic, soy sauce, and a little sesame oil = chef’s kiss
You can make this in one pan, feel fancy, and still keep leftovers. Top it with Beecher’s if you want it creamy and protein-rich.
💡 Budget Girl Tips (That Actually Help)
🛒 1. Build a Base Pantry You Can Remix
Having a few low-cost staples on hand makes everything easier.
Start with:
- Rice, pasta, and tortillas (bulk = budget gold)
- Frozen veggies (last forever, no waste)
- Eggs, canned beans, and broth (protein + flavor for days)
- Olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, lemon juice (flavor upgrades)
✨ These are your “make something out of nothing” ingredients.
📲 2. Use Grocery Apps and Rewards Programs
- Kroger app has digital coupons that stack with in-store sales.
- Flipp shows you price comparisons and store flyers in your area.
- Ibotta and Fetch let you earn cash back from receipts (yes, even for bananas).
✨ Save it, scan it, stash the extra for Beecher’s cheese.
🧊 3. Shop with a Freezer Strategy
- Freeze leftover rotisserie chicken in meal-size portions.
- Pre-chop and freeze onions, peppers, and fruit to reduce waste.
- Trader Joe’s frozen meals (like vegetable biryani or gnocchi) make great backups for tired days.
✨ Frozen doesn’t mean boring. It means smart.
💡 4. Plan “Stretch Meals” Weekly
Pick 1–2 recipes a week that stretch across multiple days.
Examples:
- Stir fry bowls → wraps → rice bowls
- Roasted chicken → tacos → pasta bake
- Lentil soup → serve once, freeze once
✨ Less cooking, more chilling, same budget.
🧠 5. Romanticize the Budget Life
Light a candle. Plate your $2 pasta like you’re on a date with yourself.
Use cloth napkins. Eat out of a bowl with your favorite fork.
Budget meals hit different when you bring the energy up.
✨ Being broke doesn’t mean being bland.
✨ Let’s Wrap
Food doesn’t have to be expensive to feel good. It just takes a little planning, some creativity, and knowing what ingredients stretch.
You can still eat cute regardless of your situation. Whether you’re in school or job hunting, it’s possible. Even if you’re just trying to stay ahead of your budget, I promise.
Let me know if you want a $5 breakfast, snacks, or Trader Joe’s-only edition next. sending love! xoxo
